How Trex Makes DIY Deck Railing Easy

Simplifying DIY Deck Railing With Trex

There are countless railing options available for your deck. From material and color, to infills and extras, each element requires its own considerations. 

Regardless of which option you choose, as you approach the final stages of your project, your focus shifts to ordering and installing your new railing. To save money, you may be considering installing your railing yourself. But what railing options will be the easiest to install? 

At Trex, we prioritize simplicity and hassle-free experiences. So, let's explore how we can streamline the ordering process and make installation as easy as possible.

DIY Deck Railing Kits

Ordering railing components can be overwhelming, but our railing kits are designed to demystify the ordering process. Available in our most popular railing styles and colors*, these kits include everything you need:

• Top and bottom railings
• Balusters
• Accessory kit, including brackets and hardware

With a kit, you can feel confident you will have everything you need on build day, reducing the risk of making last-minute trips to the store.

Pre-Assembled Deck Railing Panels

Want to cut your installation time in half? Look no further than our pre-assembled deck railing panels, available for one of our most popular styles, Trex Signature® Aluminum railing. These panels reduce your assembly time by eliminating steps without sacrificing quality. If you're looking for the easiest and quickest installation possible, this is your best option.

With pre-assembled panels, we take care of connecting the balusters to the top and bottom rails for you. All you need to do is install the posts and attach the pre-assembled panel. This cuts down your installation time from a full day to a matter of hours.

For detailed instructions, check out our how-to guide on Trex® Academy.

Full-Span Deck Railing

Understanding railing span doesn't have to be complicated. There are two main types of railing spans you need to know:

• Full-span railing refers to the measurement from the inside face of one post to the inside face of the next post.
• On-center railing is measured from the center of one post to the center of the next, and includes half the width of each post at both ends.

For DIYers, we recommend full-span railing systems for simpler calculations, measuring, and installation. That's why all Trex deck railing systems are exclusively measured at full span.

Railing Posts

Some Trex railing kits and panels are engineered to work exclusively together, like Trex Signature Infill Panels and Cables with Trex Signature posts. However, most other product lines can be paired with composite or aluminum post sleeves. And some homeowners even choose to pair products like Trex Select Mesh Railing Panels with wood posts. When it comes to color and design options, many choose to mix and match colors and accessorize with products like:

• Post caps
• Post Skirts
• Post Cap and Rail Lighting

Deck Railing Templates

Avoid installation errors with our deck railing templates. Simply snap them onto the post and drill where indicated for the railing brackets. These templates help reduce errors, prevent headaches, and cut down on the time it takes to assemble your railing. 

We offer templates for Trex Signature aluminum and composite post sleeves, as well as Trex Transcend® composite posts. You can order these templates directly from Trex. Just find the railing you prefer and check to see if there's a template available on our store.

Don't worry if your railing choice doesn't offer a template; our other railing lines either have pre-mounted brackets or don't require them to make installation as straightforward as possible.

Shop Trex Railing

Feeling confident about which deck railing idea to go with? It's time to choose the railing that matches your style and skill level. Check out our range of Trex railings to elevate your outdoor space. With Trex, DIY deck railing has never been easier. From pre-assembled panels to convenient kits and helpful templates, we're here to support you every step of the way.

*Railing kits are available for all Signature and Select railing colors, Transcend railings in Charcoal Black, Classic White, and Vintage Lantern, featuring matching square composite balusters. Additionally, Transcend Charcoal Black railings are available with matching round aluminum balusters.

**Infill kits for glass and mesh railings are sold separately.